3am again!

Wednesday 30th September 2020

Every morning you have a new opportunity to become a happier, healthier version of yourself. 

Well I've been up since 3am again, mom started making noises from 2.30ish and between her and the dog barking to go out, there was no chance of me going back to sleep!  

That doesn't look so pretty as yesterday's on my WW app, 

it's even in grey which isn't making me smile!  

On a positive, yesterday was the busiest day at Short Heath since I returned following lockdown, it was great to see new and returning members, some great losses, there's nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a member having their first weigh-in after joining and getting a cracking loss, they were thrilled! 

I'm planning on making a 'sort of' cottage pie today, hide lots of veggies in there too, get my healthy on, want to use up some of the fresh stuff in the fridge and the spuds that are sprouting!  I'll probably keep that for tomorrow when I've got my longest day, then I can have a fish finger crusty sarnie tonight when I get home (nom, nom), I've put a lot of thought into food getting up at stupid o'clock! 

I love this time of year, cooking stews, curries and all those other comforting meals!  Time to do some planning I think, I'm wanting sausage and mash, Yorkshire pudding with meat, veggies and gravy, pasta dishes, ooo and sage and onion stuffing, now here's an idea for using that, I do like the sound of this; 

Chicken Stuffing Bake

yield: 8

 

prep time: 10 MINUTES

 

cook time: 35 MINUTES

 

total time: 45 MINUTES

This Chicken Stuffing Bake recipe is a hassle-free 45 minute meal. With chicken, stuffing, broccoli and a few other simple ingredients - it's so comforting. 

Ingredients

• 1 box stuffing mix
• 1 1/2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 1.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed
• 1/2 cup cheese, grated
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. In a bowl, mix together the stuffing mix, shredded cooked chicken, diced onion, shredded carrot and steamed broccoli. Place combined into a greased baking dish. 
3. In another bowl mix together the chicken broth and soup and pour over ingredients in the baking dish. 
4. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After cooking, gently mix contents and top with grated cheese. Bake another 15 minutes, uncovered this time. If you like crispy cheese on to, broil for 2 minutes as well. 
5. Enjoy! 

Maybe not the lowest pointed meal but it could be tweaked with low fat cheese.  I'll add that to my shopping list for next week I think.  

Right, I'm off now, here's to making it through the day on 5 hours sleep, got a busy one too lol, see some of you later, I'm here from 5-6pm; 

Let's have a healthy day, it's forecast rain, but let's see a grey day as silver shall we. 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Has this year made you think about stuff?

Tuesday 29th September 2020

May your day be full of magic and may you not be too busy to notice it!

This year really has given us lots to think about hasn't it!  For me, it's given me the time to  acknowledge that I was just existing, waiting to see what dementia would do next, but now I'm feeling more that I want to be able to spend as much time enjoying mom and caring for her when I can.  Having to work from home for all that time made me see that maybe working from home more would help.  I mean look at this, 

 

 

This is mom enjoying her Pom Bears and when I asked what she was doing, she said, 'I'm lining up the cute ones!  I don't want to miss memories like this,  

Plus I'm 50 and I don't want to keep working ridiculous hours like I have done in the past, there's been 60 hour weeks in the past, gone are those days, we're only here once, we don't want to spend the time working, even if we love what we do!

Me and Alfie had lamb yesterday, I'd had a piece of rolled shoulder, I didn't realise until it was cooked there was a bone in the middle!  Alfie was made up, especially as I left plenty of meat on it for him.  

There's so much more to being healthy and happy than what we weigh isn't there!  Have a think about that for a minute, what are the things that bring you joy.  

Yesterday my sister posted a photo of a sunflower that's growing by a train drain in the next street, she'd put a comment saying it made her smile every day, that made me smile because I'd almost done the same thing the day before.  I also saw a dandelion head on the grass, they're lethal as weeds I know but they really are one of my favourite sights but to see one at this time of year was a surprise, especially as we'd had a frost. 

No I have got a very, busy week, lots of appointments for my new business (https://www.facebook.com/BevUtilityWarehouse) which having seen what I've just written above is a bit of a contradiction, but in my defence, I'm training and it won't be like this long term, I'll be able to do it to suit myself and with me not knowing what's going on with WW / Covid and Dementia, I need to have a plan, I've been putting my head in the sand for far too long!

After some rubbish sleep last week, my WW mobile tells me I had a decent amount of sleep last night!  I still spent some of that time awake because mom woke me a couple of times and I woke myself at 3, but managed to go back to sleep thankfully.

Today's challenge is to have a play with the Sleep section on the WW app, you don't have to have a Fitbit to sync, you can type in the time you went to bed and when you got up.  Have a play, underneath it, there's an Invite a Friend link,  post that on Facebook, anyone who uses your link to sign up gets you and them a free months credit!  Worth a try, someone might be thinking about joining, they see your link and before you know it, you get an email to confirm they've joined. 

Right I'm off to get ready for work, I'm at Short Heath today, look forward to seeing some of you.

Mwah, have a great day, 

Luv ya, 

Love me xx

It's not just another Monday!

Monday 28th September 2020 

Your direction is more important than your speed!

Who's ready for the Countdown to Christmas Challenge?  I'm ready, I've jumped on the scales this morning and I'm thrilled that despite the fact I haven't been tracking properly, I've not gained weight, I'm 13st 2lb, which is much better than the 13st 8lb I was back on the 19th August!  I will be having an official Check-in with my coach on Wednesday at my Express Workshop so I can fill in Week 1 on my countdown, I'll be focusing on healthy and balance.  I love food, I love eating and I've proven over the last month, I can eat all those delicious foods and still lose a few pounds.  

The weather has been lovely and dry so walking Alfie has been a pleasure, there's rain forecast this week but it's all good because guess what?  I have a raincoat, no excuses, walking in the rain is refreshing and we are all lucky enough to have towels and a change of clothes when we get home.

I made a curry yesterday, that'll sit in the fridge for a few days as my quick go-to if I get hungry, I'm wanna make a stew today I think, need onions sis if you're ready this, have you got a couple spare?  

Mom and Alfie were both better yesterday, she woke at 3ish, but I'm getting used to that early wake up call lol.  I did manage to go back for a bit, once I'd got her sorted downstairs, she falls back to sleep in her chair anyways!

Okay let's set you a challenge for the week ahead shall I?  Well obviously to get weighed, get to your workshop and face those numbers, they're our starting point!  Then as this weeks technique on the Virtual Workshops and app is 'how to get a good night's sleep', go read the article, make sure you get on a Virtual too, it's amazing the affect 'sleep' or the lack thereof can have on our lives!  That's 3 things to do!  That should keep ya going ;) 

The WW sale continues in workshops and online (if you order online use I7IA5I - capital I's not 1s) and I have a handful of kitchen scales left at half price £20 bargain, these photos came up in my memories the other day and now I want to make this again, you can't beat a crusty French stick with fish fingers nom nom.  I need to check if there's any in my freezer, if not I'll add them onto my shopping list.  

It's a great way to save points, just remove the stodgy bread from inside the delicious crusty bit.  You can use the bread you remove to make a savoury or sweet bread pudding.  

It's almost the end of September, can you believe it!  It's been a tough year for sure, but let's stay positive, let's believe things will improve - LET'S KEEP THE LIGHT BRIGHT! 

Today may be just another Monday, but let's make sure it's one that counts, one that matters, one that takes us in the direction we need and want to be going in.

Oh and if you haven't already, please, please, please go like my new business page https://www.facebook.com/BevUtilityWarehouse/ 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

The volume has gone down!

Sunday 27th September 2020 
Be brave enough to be bad at something new!

I love that quote above, it's a mindset I've had to take on board lately, whilst figuring out what I'm going to do in the future.  I love my members, I love supporting them on their journey and I've loved being a coach for 16 years but COVID appeared and things started to get a bit scary, if we can have workshops, I wouldn't have a job, how would I survive.  I started to think about job searching and I was terrified, I won't lie.  I've done this role for 16 years, I've forgotten what it's like to do anything else and that's terrifying and I know there are so many others out there feeling the same.  

Whether it's a new job, trying to learn a new talent or anything that you're trying to learn, you have to be brave enough to be bad at it initially.  When I started crocheting I think that first square took me over an hour and it didn't look good at all, but now I'm much better.  So let's all be brave enough shall we to make changes if we need to and take on new challenges. 

Maybe we need to be brave enough to draw another line and have a fresh start at eating healthy.  I was so tired yesterday my diet went out the window, I was so tired yesterday I ended up crying at one point because neither mom or Alfie would be quiet and just let me sit and relax, I was so tired yesterday that I actually ate the most amazing bowl of Tortellini with red pesto which could possibly be my new favourite pasta sauce, but I was so tired, I didn't work out the Smart Points at all! 

Today, I'm rested thankfully, mom did wake me at 3ish but I did manage to go back to sleep, I've managed about 6 or 7 hours of broken sleep, its better than the last few nights, actually that's what we're talking about in Virtual Workshops this week - sleep!  I'm hoping to have an 'official' one from next Sunday but until then I'll be on my own personal zoom this morning at 9, you're more than welcome to come on for a natter, here's the link  

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76478858956?pwd=N0JnMXBlQnB2S0dXMmpqcndQRVZ4QT09

Meeting ID: 764 7885 8956

Passcode: 0ktS5f

Mmm, I still feel tired so hopefully I'll get some tips from this weeks chat. 

I did have a wonderful morning yesterday though before I got back home and realised I was tired lol, it was so great to see my Saturday morning members and a handful of them stopped and had a socially distanced chat with each other and I felt a warm feeling inside, listening to them, it reminded me of 'pre Covid' times, when life was so much LOUDER and full of laughter.  Yeah I've only just realised that, the volume has gone down in my world and that's what I miss the most, not being able to hear myself think whilst standing at the scales because there was so much chat and laughter going on in the rest of the room.  I miss the catch up with my helpers before the workshop started, ma'an I miss the every day stuff we just took for granted, I really do. 

I've got home cured bacon for my breakfast, thanks to the lovely Karen who delivered it yesterday, isn't she clever making her own!  She even bought me some white bread to have with it, I'm not gonna lie, I'm excited for that.  Mom enjoyed a couple of slices of white toast too last night, so Karen's very much liked in this house this weekend.  We never have white bread!

I also got round to starting a Facebook page for my new business (self-employment again, it's been a good ten years since I was self employed, so that's another scary thing, but hey, be BRAVE enough to do these things.  If I don't try, I'll never know.  But if I can make it work, it will help massively with coping with moms illness going forward because I'll have a bit more flexibility, it'll also mean I can continue to support my members whilst paying my bills! 

Please like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BevUtilityWarehouse/ 
If you're curious about it but aren't ready to ask me yet (I get it, I was the same, I've never changed my suppliers before, one of those who thought if it's not broke don't fix it - glad I have though now, after saving so much) this is my webpage, go have a nosey https://uw.partners/beverley.longsden  Then if you do think you may be interested, give me a shout.  My mate Kell asked me what my new thing was yesterday and when I said Utility Warehouse (thinking to myself, here's a potential new customer) she replied, "Oh I've been with them for years, they're great!" Obviously a tad disappointed I wasn't going to get to sign her up, I was absolutely delighted to hear such good feed back about them.  I mean when was the last time someone said to you, "oh I love my utility provider" lol, erm never.  Let's be honest, we don't wanna think about them, but we all want to save money, so I'm here to help.

Anyway, enough of that, I'm thinking bacon and egg on toast with mushrooms if they're not too dead as they've been in the fridge a while, ooo and tomatoes.  That's breakfast, I enjoyed the Sundried Tomato Pesto so much yesterday, I might have to have it again on some spaghetti for my dinner, really good or it would be really nice on chicken breast too, mmm nom nom, of course, I'll Smart Point and track it today as I can't keep pretending my app is broken and ignoring it! 

Here's to a calm day (wish me look), I hope to see some of you this morning at 9, let's embrace the Christmas Countdown challenge, I'll think of some things to get you to do over the coming weeks, but today's challenge is log on for a chat with me this morning, or make sure you log onto a Virtual Workshop this week. 

Mwah, luv ya lots 

Love me  

Seriously my body clock is all over the place!

 Saturday 26th September 2020 
Stop!  Take a deep breathe.... (Yeah you needed that), now proceed.

Goooooood Morning, yeah I've been awake since a little after 2am but it's all good, cos we went to bed before half 8, my body clock is all over the place, I woke up needing the toilet (number 2! TMI?) who does that in the middle of the night though, I mean waking up for a wee is one thing but really! 

Moving on swiftly, at least I'm not tired, I've got me a lovely mug of tea and my laptop literally on my lap and I'm enjoying a moment of peace, i did hear mom moving about but I think she's got back in bed - phew.  

Yesterday was a busy day, actually it's been a busy week, anyone who knows me, knows I've been concerned about money lately, to be fair, I think loads of people are at the moment, it's all so uncertain isn't it.  I alluded to saving some money earlier in the week and I was chuffed,  you might recall earlier this year during lockdown, I sorted out my finances, made some calls, messed about on the internet for ages and saved myself loads of money off my bills.  Well, last week a very good friend of mine told me she'd got herself a new job and it was helping people save money on their bills, she was in training and needed someone to practice on (save spoiling a good un I guess lol), she also asked if I'd be interested in doing it as a job with her, straight away I was ooo no I'm not a sales women, heck I struggle to sell WW bars!  I said she could practice on me but that it was pointless as I'd not long switched all my bills and made savings.  No probs was the reply, we'll do it anyway and she called me Wednesday with her training lady and they only went and saved me a MINIMUM £400 a year on top of the savings I'd already made, I was over the moon, I'm not going to lie.  Sign me up!  

Now I live to help people, I help them lose weight, my mission in life is to help every one I meet feel better about themselves and realise they are incredible, I'm just all about helping to make things better - I'm what WW training department call 'a fixer' with a very strong righting reflex (most coaches are).  Anyway I digress, so having been practiced on by the very lovely Claire, I realised this wasn't selling, this was giving people options, helping them save money and by putting all your bills into one payment, simplifying managing your money.  Let's be honest BILLS ARE BORING, no one wants to spend any more time than necessary on them do they!  So now I have my gas/electric/landline/broadband and mobile all together nicely in one very much lower bill.

So guess who's gone and got themselves a second job!  Oh yeah, that'll be me lol, it's brilliant because I can do it from home and the hours are flexible, because of Covid the appointments can be done over the phone (they can still be done in person following guidelines) but I think over the phone is much better for so many.  Anyway I did two training sessions yesterday which went really well, I didn't actually do anything, I just observed at the other end of the phone.  I did however do my brother a quote last night and on his gas/electric I saved him almost £400 a year, that didn't include all the other savings, the five bills came in under what he was paying for his gas/electric alone, crazing savings.  There's also loads of other benefits, my gourmet society card arrived yesterday and so did my cashback clubcard, which I've already set up on my Amazon and Sainsbury's account so I can start getting money back which will come off my bills.  Can you tell I'm buzzing lol, maybe this is why I've been waking up at silly o'clock, I'm excited to start saving people money, I'm loving all the training I'm doing. 

It also means by doing this I can continue to support my WW members because this will be another income.  If you would be happy for me to help you save money on your bills give me a shout, I'd love to help you, I also love that there is no hard sell involved (it isn't allowed - NO means NO).  

Anyways on to other things - FOOD!  I had a delicious curry yesterday, getting a dab hand at that I am, if I do say so myself.

I'm really looking forward to seeing my members this morning, I know we can't have sit downs, but we're still having a natter with each other, those that like a chat don't have to rush off, there's plenty of room for a bit of social distancing conversation, the rooms well ventilated, we all have masks on and our gobs are big enough that we can shout across to each other lol.  I have missed doing the virtual's so I'm looking to do a Sunday morning one, if WW will allow, it'll be about 9.30 which I know is early for some but you know what, it's normally my day off and if I do it at that time, it's less likely to disturb my mom so I wouldn't have to ask my sister to come round as she's already doing enough covering my ten workshops!  I did a Poll and Sunday morning seems the best option.  

Well I was just gonna say 'I better go get ready for work' erm, but it's not even 4am yet, so I'll just go do something else for an hour, maybe a bit of my college course, mental health awareness, see that's so I can help people more, if I understand more, I can help more.  

If you want to save some pennies, let me try and help you (no pressure), if you're interested in earning some money, ask me about it, I can help you there too.  I'm gonna go do some yoga, balance me out, I'm a bit bouncy this week for sure!  

Mwah, I blinkin luv you I do!

Love me xx

3am is the new get up time - apparently!

Friday 25th September 2020

Do one thing every day that makes you happy

Pay day today, although thanks to Covid, they're not as nice as they used to be!  I'm so glad I managed to save some money this week, that'll definitely help with my monthly outgoings going forward (a few people have asked me how I did this, if you'd like to know how, drop me a line and I'll let ya know).  Anyways!  It's 3am an we're sat in the living room, mom was having nightmares so I've come down with her, to be fair, I'd been aware for almost an hour too, woke up to go to the loo and couldn't fall back to sleep! 

Yesterday was a busy day, cracking turnout from my lovely members, great to see so many signing up for my 13 weeks Christmas countdown - yep 13 weeks today is Christmas day! - that's scary ain't it but think of what we could achieve in that time, let's accept the challenge and also let's remember it isn't just about the numbers on the scales, it's about how we feel in ourselves and the energy we have to get through the day.  It's also about building up our immunity to fight Covid if it comes a calling at our door! 

I shared both laughter and tears yesterday with my members, the first lady I weighed yesterday was telling me about how Covid is still affecting her family, her husband had it during lockdown, he was in a coma for weeks, thankfully he pulled through, but even now it's having long term affects on him.  It's affecting his memory, he was going for an appointment for a check-up as it seems to have affected his short term memory.  She was positive though and said on the upside, he forgets when they've had an argument and she can always help herself from his wallet now ;) 

We all need to stay positive don't we and be there for each other, everything is easier with support that's for sure.  I don't know where I'd be without my incredible friends and my amazing members, I'm truly blessed.  

Got a very, busy day ahead of me, at least by being up now I can get started lol, I better not start sending messages yet though ay!  Oh but emails are okay to send?  Or maybe not as some people have notifications ping on their phones, maybe if I can schedule them to send later on or I'll do something else first and those later on. 

I like being busy, it takes my mind off food, although saying that, the last couple of days I've wanted to overload on carbs!  It's the change in the seasons, the weather dropping colder,  It's the old DNA, my inner cave woman is preparing for hibernation, loading up so that she'll make it through the winter months - well she needs to realise it ain't the stone age any more and I'll not starve this December! 

I need to get the protein back in my meals so I'm not hungry and I can tell my inner Flinstone, she ain't hungry and doesn't need to supersize every meal for the next month!

Great that it's that time of year for stews and curries though, ooo stew, I might have a mooch in my freezer and if I have some beef, I'll defrost it and make one this weekend.  I've got curry today, nom nom.  

The new WW cook book is out too, Batch Cooking, I like the sound of that, I sold out within hours (will order more) but you can order it online now to save waiting (I'll still get my commission as long as you use my code I7IA5I - they're capital I's not ones https://www.weightwatchersshop.co.uk/batch-cooking-cookbook, there's a sale on other stuff too right now. 

Anyway, moms happily snoozing by the side of me now, bless her, oh I did smile at how happy she was yesterday watching the workmen in the street digging the road up, their pipes are purple and well she's like a magpie to anything purple and kept saying, go and ask them if I can have some offcuts.  In the end I did and he said, 'no probs, I'll leave some on your drive'.  Well I expected a couple of small end pieces, what I got was this; 

  

Happy as a pig in muck she was!  Just what I wanted in my living room lol, but as long as it makes her smile, it's all good.  

Okay I'm off, here's to another good day, remember 13 weeks and counting, we got this, let's make the best of what's left of this year, let's predict our own future!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Please read this!

Thursday 24th September 2020

Let's plan for a very, merry ............ (you know where I'm hinting at!)

13!   Unlucky for some, but I've decided it's going to be lucky for my members, 13 weeks today, it's Christmas Eve - wowsers, so we all know it's going to be a different kind of Christmas this year, so let's have a different kind of challenge, I've never done a 13 weeks challenge before, as 2020 is full of firsts, let's start one right now!  Now you can decide the result you want, it may be a stone by Christmas, half a stone, or you might be happy to feel healthier regardless of the numbers (that's me btw), you might decide you'll like to run 5k, fit in a lower dress size, get back into the clothes you were wearing before Lockdown began lol.  Let's all decide we're going to accept this 13 week challenge and embrace it, support each other - strength in numbers - get some accountability (come and get weighed each week, I know we're not having the 'chat' but you can have a bit of extra time talking to me!).  

Every week, I'll give you something to focus on to keep you engaged, a little challenge, let's start with your WHY, it might be different to what it was before Covid!  Message me and let me know you're why, I'll pop it on your records and remind you of it when needed, it's good to have a nudge now and again. 

Your other focus for the next seven days it to make sure you come to a WW Express Workshop - you need the accountability and I can't help you if you've disappeared!  

That's 2 things, I'm feeling you need a third lol, okay your third thing to do this week is to track TODAY, just today, if you choose to track the rest of the week, happy days, but no pressure, TRACKING THURSDAY, is the theme for the day, you can do it, get that App open, take a screen shot at the end of the day and post a pic on Connect/Facebook group and tag me, I'm @blongsden on both.

3 Reasons to eat healthier?

1) Save some money - If you eat the portion sizes you should be eating, you instantly save money!  So many of us are trying to get our finances under control at this time.

2) You feel better - the better you feel, the more you can cope with everything - enough said.

3) You'll sleep better - everything is easier when you're rested.

I bet you could turn that 3 into 13 reasons why you would benefit from eating healthier, why not try to do that today. 

So you with me?  Shall we have a Tracking Thursday?  Will I be seeing you today, Saturday or next Tuesday or Wednesday in my workshops?  Are you going to message me your why?  

Or are you going to ignore me and let the rest of the year be as crappy as the last few months?  

I know which I hope you're going to do because I luvs ya!

Mwah, 

Love me xx

& I'm feeling good...

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

"If you knew time as well as I do," said the Hatter, "you wouldn't talk about wasting it!"

Morning luvly, how you feeling? What ya thinking?  How did you feel when you woke up this morning?  I woke up feeling positive and refreshed, for the first time in quite a while I found myself singing as I put the kettle on to make our cuppa.  

I've always told my members, 'it's okay to have a pity party, just don't unpack and live there!'  Well I've had mine and I'm done with it, it's been an ugly couple of months, there are things I can't change that I'm not happy with but there's so much more I can do and I'm doing it or working on doing it.  I might have been floored for a while, but I ain't staying down.  

I'm excited again, I love that, I've got my finances under control, mentioned yesterday about saving more money, hundreds of pounds too (if you want to know how, give me a shout, I'll happily let ya know, or ask me next time you see me). 

My shopping came yesterday, gotta confess there to spending more than my weekly budget BUT lol, there's always justification for spending money, it was in a good cause, I bought lots of spices to experiment again, it's something that connects me and my sister so it's worth everything penny.  I'll be able to cook a meal for both of us this week, saving her one cooking session, her hubbies off work this week and she's having to feed him lol.

I wasn't going to mention the changes with Covid from yesterday but they happened, it is what it is, I'm not going to notice much difference to me personally as I don't really go anywhere! My sister comes round as mom's carer and we only overlap in the doorway, as I arrive - she leaves.  I'm gutted that we're not going  to be able to have 'sit down' workshops for at least 6 months by the sounds of it, but ...   well I won't finish that sentence but those that know me can probably guess what I'd have written.

I'm gonna leave it there, I've got lots to do today, hoping to fit in some cooking, then I'm at St Albans tonight 5-6 for Express weigh-ins. 

Have a great day, stay positive, luv ya lots 

Mwah, 

Love me xx

 

  

Monday was marvelous, here's to a tremendous Tuesday!

Tuesday 22nd September 2020

Your future needs you.  Your past doesn't.

I've been awake forever!  Thankfully I went to bed early so I've at least had 4 hours sleep lol, but I'm not tired, I'm actually buzzing, got so much going on in my head but it's all good which is fantastic after how I've been feeling for the last couple of months! I'm finally living up to one of my own favourite pieces of advice - if you don't like where you are - MOVE - you're not a tree!

I also saved myself a lot of money (something we all like to do) yesterday which always makes for a good day, yesterday was pretty awesome all round to be honest and no doubt I'll be able to tell you more soon enough. 

I barely thought about food at all yesterday, I had some of Harj's curry and rice for breakfast (yeah I know weird but I am), then the next time I ate was mid afternoon and it was a sandwich, don't do that very often, then I had a packet of monster munch a bit later and I think that was my lot, oh yeah I had a chunk of cheese because I can! 

I'm at work today, all my Express Workshops are running as normal this week, 

 

 

Hope to see lots of you all for a catch up as well as a check-in!  

I can't believe I've been awake since 1ish, what is wrong with me, but I've made good use of the time at least, so that's something. OH I can't wait for a mug of tea, I'll just do a bit of yoga first then go stick the kettle on. 

I'm thinking eggs for breakfast, maybe a few mushrooms.  My shopping's being delivered this afternoon so I'll have plenty to choose from for dinner. 

I can hear mom moving about, she doesn't sound happy!  Her ulcer on her legs not pretty, waiting for the district nurses to come re dress it, the community nurses are also coming back on Thursday to take more blood, to re check her bloods and also her heart BNP blood test.  I sound like I know what I'm talking about don't I - I don't! 

Anyway, I'm off, gonna go check on mom, here's to another cracking good day.

luv ya lots, mwah 

Love me xx 

Monday rolls round again

Monday 21st September 2020

Remind yourself, you're a warrior & warriors don't give up!

Monday morning again!  They just fly round don't they and I enjoyed my Sunday too, I got to have a natter with some of my Happy Owl tribe which was absolutely lovely, we're all missing social interaction aren't we.  Thankfully I get to have a natter with some of my members at the scales each week at the moment. 

I've got veggie curry for my breakfast thanks to Harj who dropped it off yesterday afternoon, a couple of chapati's and her delicious rice, here's the recipe for her rice, trust me you'll never buy microwave again, I actually made it myself last week and it's the future; 

Harj's Rice

 

1 cup of basmati rice

1 onion 

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

tsp-tablespoon olive oil

1-2 cups of peas (I use petit pois)

1tsp salt, add extra if needed

cut the onions, i cut mine long, add oil to pan and add onions and mix, add salt and cumin seeds and cook for a couple of minutes.  I normally add boiling water to peas then drain and add to onions, cook for about 5 minutes, then add rice with 2 cups of water, stir and cover.  Bring to the boil, then stir and lower gas to simmer and let the rice cook, leave covered. 

when water has nearly absorbed, stir the rice, leave on heat for another minutes or so.  When all absorbed, make sure rice isn't sticking to pan and turn off gas and leave covered - the steam will cook the rest.  after about 10 minutes, stir rice which should be fully cook. Enjoy.

Here's her curry recipe too save you searching; 

Harjit’s Chicken Curry 

Serves around 6-7.  Total recipe points, 10sp

2-3 teaspoons Olive Oil (5sp), 

4 Onions, 

1-2 (3-4 if you like it spicy) Green Chilli

Garlic & Ginger (Harj uses frozen, 1-2 blocks of each)

2 teaspoons Jeera (Cumin Seeds),

½ large can Tomatoes (Blended), 

1-2 teaspoons Haldi (Turmeric), 

1-2 teaspoons Salt, 

1 teaspoon Garam Masala,

Fresh Coriander (Optional)

500g chicken breast (5SP on green, 0SP on blue & purple), 

• Heat oil in saucepan and add chopped onions & salt.
• Cook for around 20 mins if onions start sticking to the pan add water.
• After 5-10 mins add garlic, ginger, chilli & jeera (cumin seeds)
• Serve with (add the extra SmartPoints of course) basmati rice 
• Once onions are browned and softened add 1-2 teaspoons of haldi (Tumeric), cook for around 10 mins until the colouring separates from the onions.
• Once the above has cooked add half a tin of tomatoes and cook for around 5-10 mins.
• When tomatoes have blended in with the onions add chicken, cook chicken for about 10 mins and then add boiled water and simmer until water has thickened and chicken is tender.
• Once chicken has cooked add garam masala and stir, garnish with fresh coriander.

Going to be spending most of today on my laptop, lots to do. I woke up this morning feeling positive, I've decided there are so many things I cannot control but how I choose to think and react to things I can. This year is obviously a wash out for most, times are about to get tough for all so I will take my time choosing my way, doing what I think is best for me, my mom and my tribe, not forgetting my little dog who run downstairs looking for me this morning because I was up early, I think he's gone a bit deaf because I was calling him from the kitchen but he ran into the living room, he jumped when he turned round and I was behind him lol. We had a play on the rug and that's what life is truly about, taking as much time out as you can, to do the things you love with the people that you care about.

Remember you don't pay for things with money

but with hours from your life you spend working to earn that money.

This is something I remind myself of every time I consider buying something that isn't essential!

One that thought, I'm going to go have a shower, another cuppa and start my busy day.

Mwah, luv ya lots

Love me xx

Seek Professional Help!

Sunday 20th September 2020

When the world says 'give up', Hope whispers 'try it one more time'.

Are people just giving up on 2020?  Does this mean they're also giving up on themselves? 

If you've found yourself catching a dose of SOD IT Syndrome, please, please, please seek treatment!   I am a professional you know, I know a lot about the causes and symptoms, I can help with diagnosis and long term treatment.  We will make it through the rest of the year, we will be okay and we will continue to take care of ourselves and find ways of interacting with each other despite Covid and Lockdowns etc. 

Right were to we start?  Well it's Sunday morning so most of us don't work, let's start with a healthy breakfast, plan a dinner that's piled high with veggies and how about a bit of a walk to give us some fresh air and vitamin D.

Who fancies a catch up on Zoom?  There are of course the WW virtual ones that you can join on to catch up on the weeks topic, but I'm going to do one this morning just to catch up with anyone who fancies dropping in and saying hi, message me if you do and I'll send you the link, I'll go on at 9, that'll give me time to walk Alfie and you lot time to wake up hopefully, let's have a natter and a cuppa.  

We are not going to give up on taking care of ourselves just because we are stuck at home more and are favouring elasticated waistbands thinking to ourselves 'well we ain't going anywhere, no ones gonna see us!'   Oh no, we are not going to be that person. 

I've finished my crochet blanket so gonna do a bit of housework today - boo, but it has to be done, I've got a load of washing to do, hoovering but thankfully the washing up got done by my wonderful sister yesterday, I might give my kitchen a deep clean though, the cupboard doors and floor etc.  

I've just eaten a satsuma, not had fruit for days, so that's a start, I'm gonna try and mess about and make a cabbage curry today, as good as the lamb one was that I ate yesterday, I can't eat lamb every day.

now to hope it can be replicated because I didn't really measure stuff! 

Anyway, I'm gonna keep this brief as I'm hoping to catch up with some of you on zoom in a while.  Don't forget if you're not in my facebook group where I'll post the zoom info, you'll need to message me for it.  

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

No a lot of anything to say lol

Saturday 19th September 2020 

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle

Saturday morning, yesterday flew by, but I did get mom out for a drive for an hour, although she ended up really confused when we got back, thinking she was in a different house and asking me to get Anne to check on Alfie.  You can't win lol. 

We had a good day all round though, let's hope the weekend is as good.  I have so much I want to get done and I don't seem to have the time to get it done.  I need to finish this blanket first, then I have a course I signed up to that I have to get some done, mental health awareness, at least it's a subject that's really relevant right now.  

But before I can get to any of that I'm at my Express Workshop this morning, from 9-10, looking forward to seeing folks, with the changes coming in place next week, it'll be one of the only places you can see others, time your weigh-in correctly and you'll bump into your mate or your mother as we can't go round their houses now!

It's not looking good for the rest of the year is it from a Covid point of view, so let's continue to focus on our health and home life, so when we are finally free of this madness, we're healthy and happy and ready to get out there and enjoy freedom!

I need to go shower, it might wake me up as my brain's a bit dormant this morning, I need to interact with other humans lol, thank god my sister is registered as my moms 'carer' so she can 'legally' come into the house or I'd be in a right mess again trying to go to work.

Right positive heads on, we can't control so much but we can control our we respond!  I've had so much going through my head over the last month or so, now I have other things going through, decisions to make, things to process but what I do know is, I have people who are there to support me because they care.  Yeah we will come out the other side of all this.  2020 reallyl is a strange year isn't it!

Stay strong my lovely, 

Mwah, luv ya 

love me xx   

  

I've got that Friday feeling!

Friday 18th September 2020
You cannot become what you want by remaining what you are! 

Friday - YAY, yesterday was a very full day so I'll be glad for a no need to rush kind of day, I'd like to be able to get in my car and have a drive to an Indian spice shop but that won't be happening I don't think, but that's why I love the internet because I may have to wait for some things but there's nothing you can't get.  

5 workshops yesterday, great to see and catch up with some of my members, wondering where some of you still are though!  When I got home at lunchtime, there was a nurse in my house, I was surprised but seriously impressed!  I had a phone call the day before from a lady who had just started in the role to take care of people like mom and make sure she was being looked after.  I told her about moms legs and also that the doctor had wanted her to have an ECG back in February and she said she would see what she could do.  Fast forward less than 24 hours and here was another wonder woman to give mom the once over basically, she listened to her heart, checked her legs and other things, then said she'd arrange for her bloods to be taken and an ECG, she prescribed a water tablet too, which was what mom's needed since February.  She also tried to convince mom to have a bed in the living room and we seemed to be making headway so we'll keep working at that. Then an hour after she'd left, another health care worker rocked up and did the ECG, took bloods and dressed moms leg would and said that the district nurses would continue to come and take care of that and we'd have the results of the tests in a few days at most.  Mom's blood pressure was okay, I've always said we'll have to hit her over the head to see her off, for someone with such a cruel disease and other issues, she's still as strong as an ox! 

Our NHS is absolutely amazing and incredible!  I love that she raised money for them on her 80th birthday and that there's an image on their fundraising page acknowledging that! https://www.justgiving.com/royalwolvesnhstrust

After having all that busy in the afternoon, I didn't think I was going to get to cook, but I decided to do it anyway and work this morning, lamb curry for my sister, it'll taste amazing today when I deliver her a Friday takeaway for her dinner.  I'm going to serve it with rice the way Harj makes it, although I only have long grain and I know Harj uses basmati.  I might also make some Naan Breads and make a video at the same time, never made them so that could be fun lol. 

The email I'd been waiting for arrived, it wasn't the news I'd hoped for but I'm going to focus on the good in my life and ignore all the bad for now, imagine me with my fingers in my ears singing 'la la la, I'm not listening!'  That's me going forward.  I'm going to put my attention on what matters and what I can control.  

I've just done my yoga, 22 weeks tomorrow since I started and I haven't missed a day yet, some days I may only do 5 or 10 minutes but I still rock up on the mat.  Today's one was a nice gentle one, a little goes a long way.

I can't big up Adriene enough, she's just so natural and makes you feel like you haven't got anything to prove to anyone.

Right time to get on and have a great day, I need some veggies in my life today!  What do you need in your life today?

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx